Syrian Rebels Backed by Turkey Tanks Advance against Kurdish Forces

Syrian rebels backed by Turkish tanks were advancing on Saturday under intense bombardment toward a major northern Syrian town held by Kurdish-led forces.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the fighting between the Turkey-backed fighters and the Kurdish-led Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) was concentrated on Saturday near the town of Tel Rifaat.

Ahmad Aaraj, member of the Syrian National Democratic Coalition, which is allied with the Kurds, said Turkish tanks crossed the border near the town of Marea and were heading toward Tel Rifaat.

Footage released by the Syrian National Democratic Coalition showed plumes of smoke rising near Marea following explosions.

The Observatory said 13 Turkey-backed rebels and three SDF fighters were killed.

The Turkish military intervened in the Syrian war in August under orders from Ankara to clear the border area of Islamic State (ISIS / Daehs / ISIL) terrorist group fighters and US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces linked to Turkey's own outlawed Kurdish insurgency.